Day 11: Left my Mom’s cousins house after a delicious breakfast. Made great time, walking 10 miles without stopping (might have burned myself out a little bit). Lots of friendly people out in the suburbs of Philly, including one lady who walked a couple blocks with me while she was telling me about another stray backpacker who was staying at her house. Did a couple of phone interviews and talked with my family and some friends. Went 21 miles and the stayed the night with Jen and her husband, Jack, from Alex’s-great food and conversation.
please use the crosswalk
Day 12: Jen and Jack and their dog, Quito, walked the first few miles with me. Very positive and energetic couple. Came down with a small fever, so went at a slower pace. Decided that if I’m completely out of energy and health, then I won’t be able to talk to as many people, plus there are people in cars I can talk to, so if someone offers me a ride for less than 5 miles, then depending on how I’m feeling, I may take them up on it. Well, I was sweating bullets and nice and soar at 2 in the afternoon, so when a girl pulled over to offer I ride, I took it. She was nice, a welder trying to get into teaching; went a few miles and continued on foot. I went through all my water which I hadn’t done yet, so stopped at a gas station and filled up in the sink. Crossed the bridge over the Delaware River into New Jersey and walked another mile or so before find a good place to camp, minus some slugs that got shiny brown ooze on some of my stuff. I also had a deer hiss at me, never knew they made that noise.
Camping in NJ
Day 13: Woke up feeling a little better and walked over to Princeton. I met with the local peace action group for lunch and various members throughout the day. Very kind and helpful people… they gave me some warning about my route out west, I may have to make some kind of change so that I’ll be able to get through the northwest before the snow hits : /
